Historical Museum Guide for Virginia

Virginia History Museums

Monticello - Home of Thomas Jefferson   [Virtual Tour]

The home itself is a work of art to behold.  Archaeological digs have uncovered over 250,000 objects and relics related to the history of the plantation.  Collections include art, books, artifacts, and even the gardens and landscapes of the plantation.  The library features research and reference materials along with the papers of Thomas Jefferson.  Located on Virginia State Route 53 near the intersection of Interstate 64 and Virginia Route 20.

Amherst County Historical Society and Museum

Frontier Culture Museum

[Exhibits]  [Photo Gallery]

An outdoor living history museum, they currently feature six original farm buildings from Britain, Germany and Virginia.  Focus is on the Old World immigrants and how they lived in their homelands, how they came to America and their way of life on the American frontier.

[History of the Masonic Temple Building]

Housed inside the 1895 Masonic Temple, the museum is devoted to the history of Bedford from her early Native American history through the 20th century.  The museum is also headquarters for the Bedford Genealogical Society and research library.  Located at 201 E. Main Street in Bedford, VA.

Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest 

[History]  [Archaeology]

This National Historical Landmark was a retreat home to Thomas Jefferson.  Originally the property  was known an the Poplar Forest and was owned by Thomas Jefferson's father-in-law.  Thomas Jefferson inherited the 4819 acre plantation in 1773.  Populated by a poplar forest at the time, Jefferson loved spending time there and in 1806 undertook the building of a retreat.  The octagon house which he built still stands and is being preserved and restored. Visitors will enjoy a self guided tour of the house and grounds.  Guided tours are also offered.  Celebrate special events at the Poplar Forest as well.  Located at 142 Bateman Bridge Road in Forest, VA.

Wolf Creek Indian Village and Museum

The Indian village existed here ca 1215 near Bastian, VA.  The museum features the artifacts discovered in the archaeological digs.  Located off Interstate 77 in the Appalachian Mountains at exit 58.

Dedicated to the preservation and display of Botetourt County history.  Located behind the Botetourt County Courthouse at 1 W. Main Street in Fincastle, VA.

Housed inside a Jefferson era brick home, the museum features historical artifacts related to the history of Buckingham County along with historical books, genealogical records, and other documents of interest to researchers.  Located at 13012 West James Anderson Hwy in Buckingham, VA,

Avoca Museum  [History]

This lovely country Victorian house was built in 1901 after the original homes of the Charles Lynch family had been destroyed by fire.  The home has been beautifully restored and serves a museum dedicated to the history of the Altavista area.  Located at 1514 Main Street in Altavista, VA.

Green Hill Plantation

The 1797 plantation house is an historic landmark and is currently a private residence.  Address is Virginia Road Number 728, Long Island Vicinity, Campbell County, Virginia.

Point of Honor  [History]  [Photos]

Erected in 1815 by Dr. George Cabell Sr., this lovely Federal style mansion is filled with period furnishings along with household items and artifacts found from the archaeological digs on the surrounding grounds.  Located at 112 Cabell Street in Lynchburg, VA.

Red Hill - Patrick Henry National Memorial 

[Tour Red Hill]  [Patrick Henry's Genealogy]

Visitors can take a step back in time and visit the lovely reconstructed home of Patrick Henry, see his grave and family artifacts.  Located at 1250 Red Hill Road in Brookneal, VA.

James River Plantations

There are actually several plantation homes along Virginia Route 5 in Charles City County, VA.  Sherwood Forest, Westover, Shirley, Evelynton and Berkeley.  Step back into yesteryear when you visit these lovely old plantation homes.

Kittiewan Plantation

Come visit this beautiful, 18th-century plantation and home of the
Archeological Society of Virginia in Charles City County, Virginia.
Highlighting collections from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries and
archeological collections from across the Commonwealth, the house and
visitor center are a wonderful addition to the James River Plantation
tours. Open the second Saturday of the month and by appointment.
Located at 12104 Weyanoke Road in Charles City, Virginia.

Shirley Plantation   [History]

A working plantation home and private family home.  The home still contains some original furnishings, portraits and artifacts.  It is known as the most intact 18th century estate in the state of Virginia and tours ware offered.  Located at 501 Shirley Plantation Road in Charles City, VA.

The Chesterfield County Historical Society focuses on the preservation and exhibit of the history of Chesterfield County, Virginia.  The museum features a timeline of the 2nd permanent English settlement in the New World as well as artifacts and items related to the first cultivation of tobacco, ironworks, coal mines, hospital and more.  The 1892 Old Jail has been reopened and features exhibits related to the story of Law an Order in Chesterfield.  Other structures included in the Chesterfield County Museum Complex are the 1917 Courthouse, Castlewood, an 1817 plantation house and the  Magnolia Grange plantation house museum.  Located at 10201 Ironbridge Road in Chesterfield, VA.

Old Jail Museum Exhibit

The historic 1892 Old Jail has been re-opened in May 2011.  Exhibits of artifacts and photos are on display revealing the history of Law & Order in Chesterfield County.  Operated by the Chesterfield County Historical Society located at 10201 Ironbridge Road in Chesterfield, VA.

Museum of Culpeper History

Featuring 215 million year old dinosaur tracks, Native American village sites, exhibits about the famous Culpeper Minute Men, Civil War exhibits, an 18th century log cabin and a 4000 square foot Colonial Williamsburg designed brick facility which houses the primary exhibit galleries along with many more exhibits and artifacts related to the history of Culpeper, VA, the museum complex is located at the entrance to historic downtown Culpeper.  Located at 803 South Main Street in Culpeper, VA.

Essex County Museum & Historical Society

[Essex County History]

Housed inside the old Maddox-Dillard Building in the Colonial Revival style, the museum features exhibits and artifacts related to the rich and varied history of Essex County and the Tappahannock area of Virginia.  Visitors will browse items such as Civil War memorabilia, Rappahannock - Portabago Tribal and colonial era artifacts, photographs and artifacts from Saunders Wharf and the steamboat era and more.  Located at 218 Water Lane in Tappahannock, VA.

George Washington's Mount Vernon  [Mansion Tour]

George Washington's 8000 acre plantation run by overseers and slaves has been preserved and restored so visitors may enjoy and appreciate the mansion, plantation and contained community today.  Located 16 miles south of Washington D.C. and 8 miles south of Old Town Alexandria, the plantation sits on the banks of the Potomac River.

Gunston Hall Plantation 

[Virtual Tour]  [Mason Family]

Home to George Mason (author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights), the beautiful Georgian style home was built ca 1755-1760 and features period furnishings, magnificent gardens, and rare breeds of livestock and domestic animals to provide the visitor a sense of what plantation life was like in Colonial times.  Located at 10709 Gunston Road in Mason Neck, VA.

Lee - Fendall House

Built in 1785, this urban plantation house was occupied by members of the family of Revolutionary War hero {Light Horse Harry) Lee for over 115 years.  The house was frequently visited by George Washington, served as a Union hospital annex during the Civil War and was used as a residence by United mine Workers union leader John L. Lewis.  Today the house and garden is a museum offering tours and may be rented for weddings and special occasions.  Located at 614 Oronoco Street in Alexandria, VA.

Pope-Leighey House

Designed by the famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the Usonian house was designed for modern family life.  Commissioned in 1939 by journalist Loren Pope, the 1200 square foot house was built of wood, brick, glass and concrete.  Donated to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the house was moved from Falls Church, Virginia to the grounds of Woodlawn Plantation, the house may be toured by visitors.  Located on the grounds of Woodlawn Plantation at 9000 Richmond Highway (US Route 1) in Alexandria, VA.

Woodlawn Plantation

Originally part of the George Washington's Mount Vernon, Woodlawn is a 126 acre estate featuring a Federal-style house built between 1800 and 1805 for George Washington's nephew Major Lawrence and his bride, Eleanor (Nelly) Custis Lewis.  The house was sold in 1846 and in 1896, the house was damaged by a hurricane.  In 1901, the house was purchased by the playwright Paul Kester and restoration was begun on the house.  Today, visitors can take a guided tour for the house and grounds.  Rental is available for weddings and special events.  Located at 9000 Richmond Highway (US Route 1) in Alexandria, VA.

Wilderness Road Regional Museum

Franklin County Historical Society and Museum

Abram's Delight - Hollingworth House

Belle Grove Plantation  [History]

The house was built in 1797 of limestone.  Situated on farmland, the plantation was built on grain and livestock.  Today, the house is virtually unchanged.  Through period furnishings and docent guides, the history and times of the late 18th and early 19th centuries will come alive for visitors to the plantation located at 338 Belle Grove Road in Middletown, VA.

George Washington's Office Museum

Stonewall Jackson's Headquarters Museum

Built in 1854, this house served as Stonewall Jackson's headquarters during the Civil War.  The museum features artifacts which belonged to Jackson along with many other items of interest.  Located at 415 N. Braddock Street in Winchester, VA.

Rosewell Ruins

Village View Mansion House

Agecroft Hall

Edgar Allen Poe Museum

James Rover Plantations

Maymont

Old Dominion Railway Museum  [Photos]

Richmond National Battlefield Park

Virginia Historical Society and Museum

Virginia Holocaust Museum

The Museum of the Confederacy  [Explore the Museum]

The White House of the Confederacy has been restored and is one of the most beautiful historic buildings in America.  Built in 1818, the exterior is of gray stucco and has been home to many wealthy families since it's role as the Executive Mansion of the Confederate States of America.  During the American Civil War, the home was occupied by Confederate President Jefferson Davis along with his wife and children.  Guided tours are offered daily.  Visitors will find a massive collection of Confederate artifacts, period decor inside the mansion and a research library filled with materials for the study of the Confederacy and it's role in the American Civil War.  Located at 1201 E. Clay Street in Richmond, VA.

Wilton House Museum

Step back in time to the 18th century in this James River Plantation house.  In the Colonial American style, this home was built ca 1753 for William Randolph III Wilton a tobacco planter.  Renowned visitors to the home include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette.  This fine home was purchased and moved to its current site by the Virginia Society of The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in 1933.  Furnishings include period textiles, glass, ceramics and silver which reflect the lifestyle of Virginia planters of the mid 18th century.  Located at 215 Wilton Road in Richmond, VA.

McDowell Battlefield

This Civil War battlefield is virtually untouched by the modern world.  Visitors can see the way the battlefield looked in Civil War times.  Re-enactments are performed periodically during the year.  The Highland Museum and Heritage Center relates the story of the Battle of McDowelland provides insight into the history of this area.

Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum

Colonial Williamsburg

Belle Isle State Park

Mary Ball Washington Museum and Library

Housed inside the old 1868 jailhouse , the museum features historical artifacts and items related to the history of Louisa County, VA.  Located next to the Louisa County Courthouse in Louisa, VA.

The Sargeant Museum

Operated by the Louisa County Historical Society, the Sargeant Museum is housed inside the 1914 Sargeant-Petit House.  Exhibits tell the story of Louisa county and it's place in American history.  The Louisa County Historical Society is headquartered inside the house.  Located at 214 Fredericksburg Avenue in Louisa, VA.

Dicks / Elliott House

Historic Photographs of Lynchburg

Lynchburg Museum at The Old Court House

Take a step into the past and see the history of the Monocan tribes, early Quaker settlers and explore the heritage of the historic city of Lynchburg.  Housed in the Old Court House built in 1855, the museum is filled with treasures of days gone by.  Located at 901 Court Street in Lynchburg, VA.

Sandusky House and Civil War Museum  [Discover Lynchburg]

Greenway

Kemper Mansion  [Kemper Family History]

The 1851 home has seen many owners and was used as classrooms by the University at one time.  The notable owner for whom the mansion is named is James Lawson Kemper, a Confederate Civil War Soldier and later Governor and attorney.  Today, the home has been restored, furnished in period style and houses a historical museum which is open on special occasions.  Located on Main Street at the North end of Madison, VA.

Boyd Tavern  [History]

Originally constructed in 1790, Boyd Tavern has been a landmark in the Boydton community for over 200 years.  449 Washington Street, Boydton, VA.

Clarksville Regional Museum

Dedicated to the collection, preservation and display of historical items and artifacts related to the history and culture of Clarksville.  Located at 801 West Street in Clarksville, VA.

Prestwould Plantation

Built in the mid to late 1700s, the impressive home is 2 stories with a full basement and attic.  The mansion was home to Baronet Sir Peyton Skipwith and Lady Jean Skipwith and remained in the Skipwith family for many generations until 1914.  Located just outside of Clarksville, VA, scheduled tours of the grounds are offered.

Coal Mining Heritage Park

Smithfield Plantation

The Wilderness Road Regional Museum

Mariners Museum

Colonial Williamsburg

Reedville Fisherman's Museum

Memorial Foundation of Germanna Colonies of Virginia

Page County Heritage Association

Historic Sites in Prince Edward County

Moton Museum

Wilderness Road Regional Museum

Shenandoah National Park

Theatre at Washington  [Town of Washington]

Edgar Allen Poe Museum 

Maymont

Museum of the Confederacy

Richmond National Battle Field Park

Visitors to the battlefield will learn about the battles which took place here.  The park harbors dozens of miles of original fortifications and a large Confederate hospital.  Begin your visit and explore 3 floors of Civil War exhibits at the Civil War Visitor Center at Tredgegar Iron Works located at 470 Tredegar Street in Richmond, VA.

Virginia Holocaust Museum

Virginia House

Wilton House Museum

History Museum and Historical Society of Western Virginia

Harrisonburg Rockingham Historical Society and Museum

Reuel B. Pritchett Museum

The museum is part of the Alexander Mack Memorial Library at Bridgewater College.  Artifacts collections include American Civil War, Native American, The Rev. Reuel B. Pritchett Church of the Brethren collection and items related to early pioneer life.  Located in Cole Hall, Bridgewater College, Bridgewater, VA.

Natural Tunnel State Park

The tunnel was created by glacier activity and the walls show evidence of prehistoric life and many fossils can be found inside.  Located about 13 miles north of Gate City on Route 871.

Hotel Keller Memorial Museum

[Hottel - Keller Genealogy]  [History]

[Hottel-Keller Historical Sites in Shenandoah County]

Hottel-Keller Memorial Inc. operates the Shenandoah Germanic Heritage Museum which is located at the original Keller Homestead.  The homestead was purchased via a land grant from Lord Thomas Fairfax in 1750.  The focus of the museum is on the heritage of early Germanic immigrants who moved into the great valley of Virginia.  The museum provides living history exhibits, programs, archives and genealogies.  Located on Virginia highway 623 in Mount Olive, VA.

Historic Crab Orchard Museum and Pioneer Park

Martha Washington Inn

Shot Tower Historical State Park

Built over 150 years ago, the historic tower was used to make ammunition for early settlers.  On Route 52.

Museum Index for Other States

Virginia Census Records